Expedia Vacation Deprivation Report 2017: Indians #1 to feel very vacation deprived globally (25 percent), even though India Ranks at #5 this year

New Delhi, 04 January 2018: Expedia, the world’s largest full service online travel agency, yesterday released the results of the 2017 Vacation Deprivation study, an annual survey of vacation habits across multiple countries and continents. The survey ranks India as the 5th most vacation deprived country globally, just after South Korea (82%), France (66%), Malaysia (65%), and Hong Kong (64%). Findings that further corroborate this are 55% Indians take fewer days of the vacation days they get and 28% don’t take leaves as work schedule does not allow for vacation or there are not enough staff to cover.

Mr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia in India said, “It is very important to inculcate an organizational culture that promotes healthy work-life balance through timely vacations. While technology helps us leave the office in time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are disconnected from work. As per our study this year- on a one-week vacation, 37% Indians would check their work email/voicemail more than once per day (#3 globally) and 21% check once per day (#2 globally). It is no surprise that 48% Indians feel the happiest during a vacation when they disconnect from work, even though the figures have dropped from 53% last year. A good vacation and disconnecting from work at least once or twice a year is crucial in rejuvenating not just the body, but the mind. 55% Indians feel that being vacation deprived results in decreased productivity at work while 64% are more focused once back from vacation. 34% Indians are even willing to take a cut in their salary for extra vacation days.”

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“As technology seeps in our lives, travelers are also increasingly using mobile during vacations to – research information about the destination (#2, 80%), booking activities or reservations while traveling (#1, 67%) manage travel itinerary (49%) and booking their next vacation (38%)”, he added.

57% Indians decide the length of a trip basis the impending workload after they come back from vacation

Indians have not taken a holiday in the last 6 months because 37% can’t afford a holiday, 36% can’t get time off from work and 27% are saving up time for a long holiday

On a one-week vacation, 37% Indians would check their work email/voicemail more than once per day (#3), 21% check once per day (#2) and 10% never check

33% Indians feel more stressed by checking in at work while on holiday while 26% feel less stressed (#1)

60% Indians (#5) in total agree that they feel somewhat or very vacation deprived

Indians rank #1 in the world for feeling very vacation deprived (25%)

Indians feel that they deserve 14.5 more vacation days (rank #3 globally) over and above what they get today, preceded by UAE (29.8) and Brazil (14.8) {number of days calculated by median of all values}

While 74% Indians said that they preferred unlimited vacation policy, only 23% said that their employer currently has an unlimited vacation policy

Balancing it out!

While travelling for work, 82% Indians are likely to add personal vacation days to a business / professional trip

60% Indians spend time at work dreaming and planning about vacations, while 15% do none

42% Indians spend 1 hour or less (lowest) at work dreaming and planning about potential vacations, while 33% spend 2hours (#2) and 16% spend 3hours (#1)

Indians & Brazilians #1 in booking their next vacation during their current holiday (11%)

35% Indians wait for more than 3months and 30% wait for 1-3months after returning from a vacation, to plan their next vacation

58% Indians believe that a “mental health day” should be considered as vacation time over 42% who feel it should be considered as a sick leave

Vacation Benefits

Professional (Indians): Come back to work more relaxed (#2, 75%), more productive (#2, 66%), more focused (#1, 64%), have a better attitude (59%), think more holistically/big-picture (33%)

Emotional/ Mental Health (Indians): Come back feeling relaxed (#1, 78%), feel rejuvenated and have a better outlook both personally and professionally (#2, 65%), Come back feeling less anxious and worried, but instead more organized and ready to take on the next challenge (#2, 51%), Come back feeling patient (50%), Take fewer sick days throughout the year (#3, 28%)

Sacrifices for Vacations

97% Indians willing to give up something for a week in order to have one extra day of vacation including – Alcohol #3, 46%- up from 41% in 2016), Dessert: India (#5, 39%- up from 31% in 2016), Social media (50%, #3), Television: (#2, 54%- up from 47% in 2016), Coffee (#1, 46%-up from 35% in 2016), Sex (#8 least willing at 23%- up from 17% in 2016), Contact with your best friend (#2, 31%), Cell phone / smartphone (#1, 34%- up from 26% in 2016), Internet: India (#1, 34%), and Taking a shower (#2, 20%)

Anything for more vacation days!

New Job? Yes!

87% Indians (#1) consider number of vacation days as an important factor to decide on a new job

Other than more money, Indians #3 globally most likely to ask for more vacation time (30%, up from 23% in 2016) as part of a job negotiation, while 19% ask for work from home (#4) and flex scheduling. Indians asking for better insurance has increased from 3% in 2016 to 9% in 2017

34% Indians (#2) feel comfortable taking vacation days within 1-3 months of joining a new job, while 24% take between 3-6months, 19% in 6months to 1 year and 12% take immediately

New Continent? We are game!

If Indians had the opportunity to relocate to Europe, according to 23% (up from 18% in 2016) would see the best benefit to be 25-30 days of paid vacation, along with better work opportunities (35%, #4) and experiencing a different culture (32%, #9).

Methodology

This study was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar Research Partners, a global strategic research firm. The survey was conducted online from September 4-15, 2017 across North America, Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. The study was conducted among 15,081 respondents across 30 countries.